Posts Tagged With: Hollaback!

Street Harassment is an issue that has been widely discussed on this blog. It has been established that street harassment is NOT okay, but do the harassers think they are harassing? Probably not. As previously mentioned, there are multiple ways to protect oneself from street harassment. However, what if that is not enough? Would we need to threaten and lash out violently against harassers? What if there was a rally protesting against street harassment? What would it look like?

News of A Battle Cry is a short video illustrating the possible ways someone may react towards being street harassed. However, one must think about it, desperate times call for desperate measures. So how do you fault someone for protecting themselves with a frying pan or knife? What if the street harassment was only the beginning of sexual assault?

Like this:

Above video is called Meat, a short 3 minute video made by Samantha Riddell and Shanika Powell. Through this video, they take us on a journey of role-reversal between men and women. By showing how it feels for women to be on the streets while being objectified. Objectification of a woman can occur anywhere and everywhere by anyone. So through this role-reversal of the cat-calling, the staring and the harassment, we are given a whole new perspective of street harassment. What would it be like for men to be the ones being objectified and cat-called upon?

This short video illustrates street harassment with a twist in perspective. Although it is made to be comedic, we must delve deeper into the issue that is being exposed: street harassment. Street harassment is basically what is shown above. However, some may ask what is so wrong about that? It is wrong on so many levels. There are many ways to show your appreciation to a women and objectifying them by their body parts is one of the paths that should NOT be taken. (In Meat, it would be “Jordan.”)

Hollaback! and Stop Street Harassment are two of the many websites that is dedicated to fighting against street harassment. Through these sites, anyone can spread awareness of sexual harassment by sharing their stories and experiences of street harassment. There are also apps to help people have a safety net through the use of their smartphones. Circle of 6 and bSafe are two apps that promote one’s safety and protection from harassment of any type. Just with a few touches on your smartphone and your family members or friends will know how to help you when you need the help.

Street harassment will always occur anywhere, anytime, and regardless of who you are with at the moment. Tell your story and do not let your harasser get away by making you feel like a walking piece of meat.